Trainer Stereotypes

The crossfit coach who looks as if she can win a fight with a mountain lion.

The bodybuilder who looks as if he eats steriods for breakfast.

The gorgeous female whom people assume must never indulge.

As a whole, people have a very limited view of us “trainers”. Most believe at least some of the following statements:

Results come easy to us

We are the elite of the elite

Our self control is limitless

We only ever eat healthy food

We train 3+ hours each day

We love to compete and yell

Trust me, the list goes on. Ans while some of the characteristics are definitely true for trainers and coaches alike, they are not a requirement.

Because here’s the thing; I am a coach… but I’m also female.

Source: http://everydayfeminism.com/

And that means, that like the rest of society, I have been programmed into believing that carbohydrates are evil. That low calorie diets are a way of life to look good. That the only way to look good is to be super, unnaturally lean. That calorie counting is normal. That dieting is a way of life. And that any indulgence, big or small, should be followed by severe guilt for not adhering to “the plan”.

And I hate it.

Being a trainer means that I really and truly do understand how the body works. I know that prolonged low calorie diets will only cause metabolic problems in the long run. I know that carbohydrates are necessary if I want to lift heavy and perform in the gym. And I am well aware, that being lean not only looks different but requires a different method for everyone.

Does that make it any easier mentally?

No.

Our minds are so conditioned to the above issues that it’s hard as hell to snap out of it. Regardless of what you know, there is still that mental battle telling you your wrong, not good enough, not trying hard enough.

And truly, it’s a pain in the ass.

Being a trainer does not make you invincible. Does it make you second guess a fat burner on the market? Yes. Does it make you wonder why our society feels the need to promote such unhealthy methods to obtain extremes? Yes. And does it make you cringe every time someone tells you about the 1100kcal diet they are following so they look good in a wedding dress? Yes.

But it’s still in the back of your mind.

I eat healthy because I love it. Seriously. I learned a long time ago that a nutritious day means more energy and less tummy aches. I workout (for 45-60min a day) because it keeps me sane and makes me feel special knowing what my body can do. Sometimes I workout longer if I have time but in general I am simply “active” I prefer walks, swimming, hiking and dancing to sitting on the couch. But I don’t have time to be in the gym for 3+ hours each day.

My self control sucks ass. If I want the cake, I am going to eat the cake. Period. But yes, my indulgences don’t occur nightly which leads to me to have a – not overly jacked but lean enough- physique.

As a trainer, I’ve got it down.

As a female… mostly.

Though, limiting myself to low calorie diets, felling guilty for enjoying life and wanting to fit into a size smaller than I am still present themselves in my mind occasionally, the trainer in me tells those thoughts to F*** Off.

And it works.

Because those pesky, little thoughts simply are not worth it. But the sad part is, most people let them in. Females in particular believe in those things because we are programmed to. We’re bombarded with them.

And while I am most definitely a trainer, I am still female.

So here’s your lesson: you may think that trainers are invincible, but we’re not. We still struggle with the same thoughts you do.. we just have another voice, a louder one, reminding us how ridiculous they are.

So the next time you’re tempted to only eat cabbage to lose weight, or detox by only juicing celery or punish yourself because you ate the cake, find your inner trainer voice and tell those thoughts to F*** Off.